Biodiversity Journal, 2017, 8 (1): 113–118 MONOGRAPH Breeding of Black-necked Grebe Podiceps nigricollis C.L. Brehm, 1831 (Aves Podicipedidae) in the SCI and SPA ITA060002 “Lago di Pergusa” (Sicily, Italy) Rosa Termine “Kore” University of Enna, Laboratory of Sanitary Environmental Engineering - Section of Biology, Cittadella Universitaria - 94100 Enna, Italy; e-mail: [email protected] ABSTRACT On 2015 breeding season, we censused a high number of Podiceps nigricollis C.L. Brehm, 1831 (Aves Podicipedidae), breeding in the SCI and SPA ITA060002 “Lago di Pergusa”, including the Nature Reserve “Lago di Pergusa”. After 1950 the breeding records of the P. nigricollis in Italy were of approximately twenty and relative to a few pairs. Since 2010, in the Lake Pergusa, the P. nigricollis has changed its status from “migratory, overwintering and irregular breeder” to “regular breeder”. In 2010, and more regularly in 2012–2015, there are in fact documented breeding attempts with relative offspring. This Lake has so far counted the largest number of breeding pairs for Sicily and Italy. We point therefore to the importance of this protected natural area as a breeding site for the P. nigricollis. KEY WORDS Black-necked Grebe; nesting; Pergusa Lake; Podiceps nigricollis; Sicily. Received 08.04.2016; accepted 21.06.2016; printed 30.03.2017 Proceedings of the 3rd International Congress “Biodiversity, Mediterranean, Society”, September 4th-6th 2015, Noto- Vendicari (Italy) INTRODUCTION From 2000 to 2011 there were a few cases of breeding attempts: in 2000 and 2005 in Caltanis- After 1950 the breeding records of the Podiceps setta province (Mascara, 2007); in 2004, in 2006 nigricollis C.L. Brehm, 1831 (Aves Podicipedidae) (Corso, 2005, 2007) and 2011 (Di Blasi, pers. in Italy were of approximately twenty and relative comm. 2011) in Siracusa province. to a few pairs (Brichetti & Fracasso, 2013; Verducci Since 2010, in the Lake Pergusa, the P. nigricol- & Sighele, 2013). lis has changed its status from “migratory, overwin- In Sicily (Fig. 1), this specie was considered tering and irregular breeder” to “regular breeder”. resident and regularly breeding (Benoit, 1840; There are in fact documented breeding attempts Doderlein, 1873). Later on, only two breeding attempts were recorded: in 1957 in the Lake Per- with relative offspring: gusa (20–25 pairs approximately) (Krampitz, 1958) - in 2010, with maximum observation of 16 and in 1966 in Palermo province, in the Scanzano adults at most and 13 chicks and juveniles together dam (1 pair) (Iapichino & Massa, 1989). For over (Ientile et al., 2010; Termine et al., 2011); thirty years on the Island there have been anecdotal - in 2012, with maximum observation of 50 sightings and irregular summer occurrence adults at most and 49 chicks and juveniles together (AA.VV., 2008). (Termine & Massa, 2015); 114 ROSA TERMINE - in 2013, with maximum observation of 128 Study area adults and 112 chicks and juveniles together (Ter- mine & Massa, 2015). The SCI and SPA ITA060002 “Lago di Pergusa” In 2011, between April and July, there are (EN) include the Nature Reserve “Lago di Pergusa” records of 8 individuals with nuptial plumage, (402.5 hectares) created after the Regional Law No. however at the end of June their number was 71 of 1995 and managed by the former Regional already reduced to 2 and, given the absence of Province of Enna, now “Libero Consorzio Comun- observations of new born chicks, there are hypo- ale”. theses that those were summer residents (Termine The Lake Pergusa is a closed basin, approxim- & Massa, 2015). ately 140 hectares large and characterized by marked water level fluctuations influenced by both precipitations and summer evaporation that make MATERIAL AND METHODS their waters as brackish ones. For about twenty years the Lake water level de- Main object of this study, the monitoring of P. creased gradually down to its almost complete dis- nigricollis, was conducted from October 2013 to appearance in the summer 2002 following long August 2015 by observation sessions at least every drought periods and several anthropic actions star- 15 days with 10x42 binoculars and 25÷50x80 tele- ted in ‘30s with land reclamation works and con- scope. We walked the whole lake perimeter with tinuing throughout ‘60s and ‘70s with ground water an electric boat to access sites not seen from the draw from private and public wells. coast. Since 2003 the Lake water level has been in- In the warm season, observation sessions were stead increasing, because both precipitation in- conducted in early mornings and late afternoon, crease and well closing, so that in the last years thus during activity peak for water birds. Observa- the level is recorded beyond 4 metres versus 27 tion data were then inputted in a complete database. centimetres in 2002, when the water deficit and Figure 1. Breeding sites of Podiceps nigricollis in Sicily (1957–2015). Breeding of Black-necked Grebe Podiceps nigricollis (Aves Podicipedidae) in the “Lago di Pergusa” (Sicily, Italy) 115 Figure 2. Swimming adult with three chicks on its back in the “Lago di Pergusa”. Figure 3. Young grouped in large crèche. the salty conditions were so marked that they res- RESULTS AND DISCUSSION ulted in an almost complete absence of its biotic component. On the 18th February 2014, on 12 individuals, Controlled inflows of external water from the 6 were with nuptial plumage; 4 of them showed an nearby Ancipa dam of Troina (Enna) have also con- intraspecific competition, whereas one individual tributed to the recovery of the Lake. Between 2002 with nuptial plumage and another with winter and 2004, indeed, the managing body conducted a plumage appeared as a pair that was observed also test for the environmental recovery of the Lake: on the following days; the breeding pairs were ob- 804,420 cubic metres of water were put in between served from May to October, with observation of December 11, 2002 and May 7, 2003, and 750,010 maximum (Table 1, red font) 146 adults and 238 cubic metres of water were put in between March chicks and juveniles together. 29 and May 31, 2004. Each inflow represents 1/6 On 17th February 2015, on 25 individuals, 13 of the total lake volume, today estimated as approx- were with a nuptial plumage; 6 of them showed an intraspecific competition; the breeding pairs were imately 4,500,000 cubic metres. observed from May to August, with observation of Despite its small size, the Lake hosts a rich avi- maximum (Table 1, red font) 261 adults and 304 fauna; censuses recorded more than 170 species, in- chicks and juveniles together. cluding breeding, overwintering and migratory According to the observations conducted in Per- ones. gusa since 2010, the chicks are moved on the back, Some of them are with a specific conservation even two-three at once (Fig. 2) by both parents and status; among the breeders, 18 species are included they become independent at 2–3 week old although in the European lists SPEC, among these 5 species they keep staying with their parents; as the breeding are included in the Annex I, Dir. 2009/147/CE: Tyto season goes on, the pairs move close to each other, alba (Scopoli, 1769), Calandrella brachydactyla together with their offspring, until they form larger (Leisler 1814), Aythya nyroca (Güldenstädt, and larger groups. 1770), Porphyrio porphyrio (Linnaeus, 1758) and Then starting in mid-August the young are Ix- obrychus minutus (Linnaeus, 1766). Moreover, grouped in large crèche (often only one), while 5 species are included in the Italian Red List: Otus some adults hang round the groups (Fig. 3) and scops (Linnaeus, 1758), Tyto alba, Aythya nyroca, other adults move to different directions getting Porphyrio porphyrio and Ixobrychus minutus (Ter- sometimes far from the groups. mine et al., 2008). Starting in mid-October young and adults 116 ROSA TERMINE Table 1. Observations of Podiceps nigricollis during 2014 and 2015 breeding seasons in the “Lago di Pergusa” (Sicily, Italy). Table 2. Maximum number of adults of Podiceps nigricollis observed in the different months (2004–2015) in the “Lago di Pergusa” (Sicily, Italy). Breeding of Black-necked Grebe Podiceps nigricollis (Aves Podicipedidae) in the “Lago di Pergusa” (Sicily, Italy) 117 cannot be distinguished as the adults turn into the devices would warrant future investigations as this winter plumage. event appears to become consistent across the On the Lake, the number of individuals is years. markedly reduced starting in November; the occur- rence of P. nigricollisin wintering is much reduced: in the 2010–11 winter there were 2–4 observed in- ACKNOWLEDGMENT dividuals, in the 2011-12 winter 3–8, in the 2012– 13 winter 4–5 (Termine & Massa, 2015); in the We thank the “Libero Consorzio Comunale” of 2013–14 winter 8–12, and in the 2014–15 winter Enna for supporting our research. A special thank 12–25 (Table 2). goes to Bruno Massa for his precious suggestions. During the breeding season, including the one We also thank Daniela Campobello for English. in 2010, in the Lake there was a marked water vegetation cover forming floating mats, probably promoting the occurrence and breeding of this spe- REFERENCES cies. Autori Vari, 2008. Atlante della Biodiversità della Sicilia: Vertebrati terrestri. Studi e Ricerche, 6, ARPA Sicilia, CONCLUSIONS Palermo, 536 pp. Benoit L., 1840. Ornitologia Siciliana. Stamperia G. Fi- We therefore emphasise the importance of this umara, Messina. protected natural area as a breeding site for the Brichetti P. & Fracasso G., 2013. Ornitologia Italiana. Podiceps nigricollis. The restored ecological and Vol. 1. Gaviidae-Falconidae. Edizione elettronica riveduta e aggiornata. Alberto Perdisa Ed., Bologna, conservation conditions of the Lake may have fa- 463 pp. voured an optimal context for this species settlement. Corso A., 2005. Avifauna di Sicilia. L’Epos Società This Lake has so far counted the largest number Editrice, Palermo, 324 pp.